As difficult situation in Ukraine continues, many people are coming to Poland to offer help. Additionally, Ukrainian families often seek to stay near the border as a precaution in case they need to return home. In order to help, I have compiled a brief list of cities that may be of interest for those looking to stay close to the Polish-Ukrainian border. In this article, I will provide information on cities, their distance from the border, and an overview of what the cities are like.
Here are the 11 best towns and cities you may choose from.
1. Przemyśl
Przemysl is a city with a rich history and plenty of beautiful monuments. One of the city’s highlights is its castle, which now houses the Przemysl Culture and Science Center. The city also offers visitors a panoramic view of its charming streets, as well as a small park. This city is an ideal destination for tourists visiting the Bieszczady Mountains as well as those who enjoy exploring Polish towns and cities during short weekend trips. Przemyśl is a true gem of the Podkarpacie region.
Accomodation
City offers a wide range of accommodations to fit any budget, which is to be expected in a historic city like this. There are a variety of hotel, guesthouse, lodgings and room options available in the city. Each of these options has its own unique style, making for a wonderful experience and a pleasant stay. Finding accommodation in Przemysl should not be an issue with this variety of options available to choose from.
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- Type: City (population 60,000)
- Distance to the Ukrainian border: 11 km
- Distance to Lwow: 96 km
- Google Location: here
2. Lubaczów
Lubaczow is a small town located in Eastern Roztocze, on the edge of Podkarpackie Province. The town is home to a park complex and museum, which includes the remains of a royal castle from the time of Casimir the Great. The castle, which was built in the 16th century, is located near the river and is a notable attraction for visitors.
The museum exhibits document the history of the town, and the adjacent park is a popular tourist spot. Additionally, visitors can also explore a historic border turnpike and the restored market square with its historic well and statue of Lubacz.
There are also cultural events held at the square. Lubaczow also has a modern recreational and sports pool that is suitable for families. This is a place to enjoy and relax. It’s also worth taking the time to visit the Jewish cemetery, which is now not in use but serves as evidence of the rich history and cultural heritage of the city.
Accomodation
Lubaczow has a wide range of hotel and accommodation options available, offering a total of several hundred beds for visitors. Some of the most well-known hotels in the city include Hotel u Dina, Galicia Inn, and Pod Orłami. Additionally, there are also other accommodation options available in the surrounding area, such as Kresowa Osada, Leśna Chata, Dębowy Dwór, and Płacowa Hotel.
Agritourism farms, cottages, and rooms for rent also expand the accommodation options available in the municipality. Some noteworthy agritourism facilities include Wiśniowa Górka, which has been awarded in industry plebiscites, and Gorajec Chutor.
- Type: Small Town (population 11,600)
- Distance to the Ukrainian border: 16 km
- Distance to Lwow: 91 km
- Google Location: here
3. Lubycza Królewska
This town is closest to the Hrebenne border crossing and is an important stop for visitors crossing the border. The town has a rich history dating back to the 1420s, when it was founded by Siemowit, Duke of Mazovia and Bełz. The picturesque town surrounded by forests is a popular destination for tourists looking to relax and connect with nature. It is an excellent base for excursions to the Roztocze region as well as to the Sokalska Ridges, where visitors can enjoy peace and quiet amidst the beauty of nature.
Accomodation
Lubycza Królewska, both as a town and a municipality, offers a wide range of accommodation options, restaurants, and agritourism facilities. In the center of the town, there is the Xavier Restaurant and Hotel. The hotel offers comfortable accommodation as well as two event and training rooms. The restaurant serves a variety of regional cuisines.
Agritourism is a popular choice among tourists who want to be close to nature. There are many cottages surrounded by forests where you can relax and enjoy the peace and quiet. The village is well connected by road to the Hrebenne border crossing, as well as to nearby towns such as Belzec, Tomaszow Lubelski, and Narol, which are also interesting points to visit on the Roztoczan map.
Type: Very Small Town (population 2,400)
Distance to the Ukrainian border: 8 km
Distance to Lwow: 78 km
Google Location: here
4. Dołhobyczów
Dolhobyczow is home to a beautiful and fascinating palace, which is surrounded by an extensive park. The palace’s first owners were the Skrzetuski family, who were relatives of Mikolaj Skrzetuski, who also served as inspiration for the main character of „Ogniem i Mieczem” novel. By the way, if you are curious and would like to read about abandonded palaces in Poland, please check the other article I wrote about it.
In 1782, the palace was purchased by the Rastawiecki family, who greatly expanded the estate over time. It’s interesting to note that the palace was designed by the Italian architect Antonio Corazzi, who also became famous for building the Grand Theater in Warsaw. The palace which was originally a small manor house has been transformed into a grand palace over the years.
- Type: Very Small Town (population 5,600)
- Distance to the Ukrainian border: 3 km
- Distance to Lwow: 104 km
- Google Location: here
5. Zamość
Zamosc is a city that offers many tourist attractions, including historic buildings with rich histories, beautiful Renaissance townhouses, the oldest pharmacy in Poland, and many souvenirs related to the Zamoyski family. The city’s Rynek Wielki (main market square) is a must-see, but the city also has many other interesting places that can be found in the side streets of the Old Town.
Even though Zamosc is a small city, with a population of less than 65,000, it is less crowded during the season than bigger cities such as Kraków, Gdańsk or Wrocław. However, it offers many interesting places and monuments to discover, making it a city worth visiting.
Walking around Zamosc’s Old Town, taking in the sights of the Town Park, and catching a glimpse of the Zamosc Fortress can take about 3 hours. But if you want to visit the Museum of Fortifications and Weapons “Arsenal”, which is a branch of the Zamosc Museum, or the Zamosc Zoo, your time might run out.
If you want to see the city in a different scenery, one of our readers highly recommends taking a night tour. And don’t forget, nearby Zwierzyniec and the Roztocze National Park are also worth checking out, so you might want to plan on staying longer to experience all that this area has to offer.
- Type: City (population 63,000)
- Distance to the Ukrainian border: 59 km
- Distance to Lwow: 130 km
- Google Location: here
6. Hrubieszów
The Hrubieszow region is known for its picturesque landscapes featuring rich history, which is evident in its numerous historical monuments and archaeological sites.
It is home to the beautiful thirteen-domed Orthodox Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Among the oldest monuments in the area are the Podominikański Church of St. Nicholas, the Church of St. Stanislaus Kostka, the Baroque rectory, which is the birthplace of Aleksander Glowacki (also known as Boleslaw Prus), and the Du Chateau family mansion, which is currently home to the Rev. St. Staszic Museum.
- Type: Small Town (population 16 800)
- Distance to the Ukrainian border: 23 km
- Distance to Luck : 110 km
- Google Location: here
7. Strzyżów
Strzyzow is one of the most noteworthy cities in the Subcarpathian region, known for its location and beautiful surroundings. The close distance to Rzeszow, the picturesque Wislok River valley and the landscapes of the Strzyzow Foothills are some of the main advantages of the city.
It also has a rich history and many magnificent monuments that allow visitors to explore the city’s history in an engaging and attractive way.
There are plenty of tourist attractions in the area of Strzyzow, such as the railroad shelter, the 19th century palace complex (which now serves as an orphanage), and the 18th-century Dydynski manor house, which houses the Local Government Museum of Strzyzow Land.
Additionally, there are many sacred monuments worth visiting, such as the former synagogue, the Jewish cemetery on Zarnowska Gora, and the 15th century parish church. For those interested in learning more about the city’s history, the local museum offers a diverse range of exhibits that will appeal to all visitors.
- Type: Small Town (population 8 600)
- Distance to the Ukrainian border: 10 km
- Distance to Luck: 98 km
- Google Location: here
8. Horodło
The Horodło village located between the arms of the Bug River, on the border of two historical lands – Polesie and Volhynia. It is part of Hrubieszow County in the southeastern region of Lublin Voivodeship.
The village is easily accessible via two main roads, a provincial road running from Chelm to Zosin and a national road from Zamosc to Zosin. The municipality of Horodło shares a border with Ukraine, which means this is also the border of the European Union.
The Horodło is an attractive destination for all who are looking for peace and quiet, and to be close to nature. The region is known for its agricultural character of the towns, low population density, lack of pollution, many forested areas, unaltered landscapes and cultural monuments.
The town of Horodlo has managed to preserve its original urban layout, including the quadrilateral market square and streets branching out from its corners. In the park located in the middle of the square, there are two statues of lions. These statues are believed to have originated from the equipment of Horodlo’s castle and stood next to the manor house in Vieniavka before 1939.
- Type: Village (population 5 000)
- Distance to the Ukrainian border: 9 km
- Distance to Luck: 96 km
- Google Location: here
9. Chełm
Chelm is a charming city located on the banks of the Uherka River, famous for its underground chalk mines, which are unparalleled in Europe. The labyrinth of corridors beneath the city were created over centuries. Today, the underground route is open to the public, providing a unique tourist attraction and a permanent home for the Bieluch Spirit.
Chelm’s oldest monuments are located on the hill. They include the remains of a princely castle and the Pounic cathedral complex from the 18th century. Architecture and art enthusiasts will appreciate the Baroque Church of the Propagation of the Apostles, which was designed by the famous architect Pavel Fontana, the Orthodox Church of St. John the Theologian, the modernist “Directorate” estate, and the extensive collections of the Chelm Land Museum.
The museum has around 20,000 unique exhibits related to the history of Chelm and art, displayed in specialized departments such as Archaeology, History, Ethnography, Nature, Education, Art of Chelm Land, Contemporary Art, Old Photography, Archive, and Library.
- Type: City (population 61 000)
- Distance to the Ukrainian border: 65 km (Uscilug)
- Distance to Luck: 155 km
- Google Location: here
10. Włodawa
Wlodawa is a town located in the Lublin Province, situated on the Wlodawa Hump, a flat area of post-glacial upland, that gives the terrain its unique shape. The town sits right on the Polish-Belarusian border, and is located by two rivers, the Bug and Włodawka. Wlodawa received its municipal rights in 1534, but the oldest remains of the castle in the town are more than 700 years old.
A few kilometers from Wlodawa lies the Border Triangle, which is a point where the borders of Poland, Ukraine, and Belarus meet. This location is quite remote and not clearly marked, so if you want to spot the point where the borders intersect, it’s best to rent a canoe or boat and venture deeper into the Bug River.
Remember that any such trip must be reported to the border guard division ahead of time. Not far from Wlodawa is also Lake Biale, which is a popular spot for outdoor activities, swimming, and water recreation. During the summer months, various catering facilities are set up on the beaches, and there’s also an amusement park nearby.
- Type: Town (population 12 000)
- Distance to the Ukrainian border: 108 km (Uscilug)
- Distance to Luck: 195 km
- Google Location: here
11. Wola Uhruska
This village boasts a rich history of welcoming visitors, with holiday traditions dating back to the early 20th century. The village is located in a verdant valley alongside the Bug River, surrounded by lush forests, which lend to its healthy microclimate, making it an ideal spot for relaxation. The village features a beach on the old riverbed of the Bug River, with a designated area for swimming.
- Type: Small Village (population 1500)
- Distance to the Ukrainian border: 71 km (Uscilug)
- Distance to Lwow: 178 km
- Google Location: here
Bibliography:
- https://stat.gov.pl/cps/rde/xbcr/rzesz/ASSETS_charakteryst_pogran.pdf
- https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polskie_przej%C5%9Bcia_graniczne_z_Ukrain%C4%85
